China's president vowed he won't run a 'one-man show' in Asia

Chinese President Xi Jinping bows his head after making a speech at the celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, July 1, 2016. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon China will not seek to cast a long shadow over Asia but will also not succumb to threats of military force, President Xi Jinping vowed at a gathering in Beijing's Great Hall of the People to mark the Communist Party's 95th anniversary on Friday.

His remarks, coming ahead of a key international tribunal ruling on the South China Sea, were meant to send a reassuring message to Asian neighbours suspicious of Beijing's growing assertiveness, ­according to analysts.

During the hour-long speech aired live on state television, Xi also stressed the need for "discipline and rules" within the party in the run-up to a major leadership reshuffle next year, warning the party's legitimacy hinged on the fight against rampant corruption.

Xi said China had no intention of running a "one-man show" or "creating its own backyard" in the region, but it would not compromise on its national interests. "China does not covet any interests of other nations, but we'll never waive our legitimate rights," he said."Other nations should not expect us to haggle about our core interests or swallow the bitter fruit of undermining our interests concerning sovereignty, security and development."

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague will on July 12 deliver its ruling on a case lodged by the Philippines against China over the South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims.

In a veiled message apparently aimed at the United States, Xi criticised the flexing of military muscle near the disputed waters.

"China will adhere to the military approach of active defence. We will not resort to threats of military force or shows of military strength at another's doorstep," he said, seemingly referring to frequent patrols by American warships. "Such muscle flexing does not reflect real strength and will not deter anyone."

An aerial photo taken though a glass window of a Philippine military plane shows the alleged on-going land reclamation by China on mischief reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, Philippines, May 11, 2015. REUTERS/Ritchie B. Tongo

Analysts said the speech was a summary of Xi's key foreign policies. "It is basically a hotchpotch of Xi's doctrines on international affairs, containing some quite conflicting messages aimed at appeasing different factions of foreign policy thinking on the mainland," said Renmin University professor Pang Zhongying.

Xi also stressed the role of party leadership and Marxism in the country's development while painting a bleak picture of the anticorruption drive. "As the ruling party, the biggest danger we face is corruption," he said.

In addition, he insisted China's status should not be judged by "people with tainted glasses". "Our party members and the Chinese people are fully confident of providing a Chinese solution to mankind's exploration of better social systems," he said, without elaborating. "It is up to all the people of the international community to decide what kind of international order and global governance system is best for the world."

Pang said Xi first raised the idea of a "Chinese solution" in Germany two years ago when it was widely seen as a carefully crafted message for leftists at home opposed to Western-style democratic government. "Xi wants to reassure his audience both at home and abroad that China will not seek to challenge the existing international order dominated by the US-led coalition - at least for now," he said.

Former Taiwanese deputy defence minister Lin Chong-pin said that despite his often harsh rhetoric, Xi was not seeking a military solution to all of China's problems. "He appears to believe instead in economic, diplomatic and cultural means as well as rhetoric and media campaigns," Lin said.